Last night's 4.3 magnitude earthquake eight kilometres off Sidney's coast is a great reminder of the importance of being prepared.

One way to do that is to create a home emergency kit, and it doesn't need to take long. A home emergency kit can make all the difference when faced with an emergency situation, ensuring that you and your family are given the best possible chance to survive a worst-case scenario. 

Just follow the basic list below and store your collected supplies in an easy to access location:

• First-Aid kit
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Cellphone with charger
• Cash in small bills
• A local map with your family meeting place identified
• Three-day supply of food and water
• Garbage bags
• Dust mask
• Seasonal clothing and footwear 

Remember, you can't count on being home when there's an emergency. In addition to having one at home, create grab-and-go bags for your work and vehicles that contain:

• Food (ready to eat) and water
• Flashlight and batteries
• AM/FM radio
• Medications
• Seasonal clothing
• Blanket
• Cell phone charger
• Pen and notepad
• Personal toiletries
• Small First-Aid kit
• Extra pair of glasses or contacts
• Cash in small bills
• Local map with your family meeting place identified
• Whistle

For more information on how to stay prepared, please visit PreparedBC's website: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/preparedbc. 

As well, ensure you follow Emergency Management BC's Twitter accounts for up-to-the-minute info at https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBC and https://twitter.com/PreparedBC.